Life Without Microprocessors Is Hard To Imagine

Let's review what I've done so far today that involved a device that uses a microprocessor:

1. Woke to the alarm on my iPhone
2. Coffee pot turned itself on
3. Started a load of laundry
4. Drove to work
5. Reset the thermostat in my office
6. Sent/received dozens of emails (some on my computer, some on my phone)
7. Used two different computers to do work (Internet, office apps)
8. Made some calls on my work mobile phone
9. Made some calls on my personal mobile phone
10. Posted on my blog
11. Converted some files for a student
12. Played a game on my phone (had to feed my Scramble addiction)
13. Heated my lunch in the microwave
14. Listened to music on Sirius satellite
15. Texted my kids
16. Changed some airline reservations online

I'm sure I am missing some but you get the idea. And it's only 3:30pm. I still have to get home, cook dinner, run the dishwasher, maybe watch the news on TV and attend an Elluminate.

Now imagine my day without microprocessors...

1. Over slept because I forgot to wind the alarm clock (or power went out)
2. No coffee?! I'm in trouble.
3. Car won't start which is OK because I don't know where I would go to "work" since my virtual school doesn't exist!
4. No email - I'll have to type up my reports and send them via "snail mail" (hope the mailman hasn't come yet)
5. Made a lot of phone calls
6. No texts, no cell phones, no idea where my kids are or what they are doing after school

Again - you get the idea. There is no doubt that the microprocessor has infiltrated our lives to a greater extent than many of us would like to admit. What would happen if all the microprocessors stopped working or were taken over by some sinister force? I honestly don't know. Let's hope it never comes to that.

Instructional Technology - WIIFM (What's In It For Me)?

Instructional technology is a term that didn't even exist when I started my professional career. In fact, it's a term I still was not familiar with when my career path veered away from journalism and led me into the world of education 10 years ago. Now, as program manager of iQ Academy Wisconsin, a virtual charter middle and high school based in Waukesha, WI, instructional technology isn't just something I do, it's all I do. Soon after I started at iQ, I realized that in order to effectively serve my school families, I am going to have to up my game and expand my knowledge base. That's what led me to the Instructional Technology masters program at Cardinal Stritch University and so far, it has been a perfect fit.


The most direct benefit so far has been the experience of taking an online class myself. It has really helped me relate to some of the challenges my students and families experience such as self-motivation, setting up a study area, staying on pace, communicating with instructors and dealing with technical issues.


The content of my current course falls into two categories; information that is interesting to me and information that is useful (or may become useful in the future) in my daily work. The Triumph of the Nerds documentary, the computer component research and the work we did looking inside the computer are all fascinating, but not necessarily directly related to what I do. On the other hand, I am certain that what I have learned about Linux, data security and virus protection will come in handy as I work with students and families in the virtual environment.

The Reincarnation of Chrisful Thinking

Chrisful Thinking is back - though I doubt many people realized that it was gone. Where did it go? Well, in an attempt to consolidate my Google accounts, I inadvertently deleted the account that was linked to the original Chrisful Thinking blog. I tried desperately to resurrect it, but it was DOA at Google world headquarters.

A wise man once told me that nothing is ever deleted on a computer or the Internet (maybe he is not as wise as I thought). This may come as a shock to you, but apparently there are some technological miracles that even Google can't accomplish; like raising a deleted account from the dead.

Anyway, lesson learned. If I can recover any of the previous content, I will re-post it here. Otherwise, I will start fresh and (hopefully) never make the same mistake again.